Houssam Abiad appointed as the new Chair of the Council for Australian-Arab relations

Houssam Abiadappointed as the new Chair of the Council for Australian-Arab relations

9 August 2017

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

The Hon Julie Bishop MP The Minister for Foreign Affairs today announces the appointment of a new Chair and three new Board members to the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR): Mr Houssam Abiad as the Chair of the Council, Ms Dalene Wray, Mr Wayne Borg and Dr Peter Hendy.

The Board members will contribute to CAAR’s efforts to strengthen Australian-Arab relations by advancing areas of shared political, economic and social interest and building greater awareness of each other’s culture and values.

The new members will bring a wealth of skills, networks and experience to CAAR.

Mr Abiad has served on the CAAR Board since January 2016 and as Deputy Chair from December 2016.

Ms Wray has served as General Manager of OBE Organic, Australia’s largest producer of organic beef, since 2012. Ms Wray developed OBE Organic’s market presence in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Asia.

Mr Borg is the Managing Director of Fox Studios Australia. Prior to this, he served as Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority.

The Hon Dr Hendy was the Member for Eden-Monaro in the Australian Parliament from 2013 to 2016. He has previously served as Executive Director on the Bahrain Economic Development Board and as Chief Executive Officer for the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

I thank outgoing CAAR Chair Ms Sue Ismiel and Ms Yassmin Abdel-Magied for their contribution to the Council.